Saxophone



Oct. 20, 1931. F, CALVAN] 1,828,390

SAXOPHONE Filed Aug. 28, 1930 I I5 Sheets-Sheet l COMBINED OSHARPAND G-SHHRP KEY B-NATURAL KEY "a BFLHT KEY C-NATURAL VALVE G- SHARP vam- C- 5/07)?! VH4 V5 Invenlor A llomey F. CALVANI Oct. 20, 1931.

SAXOPHONE Filed Aug. 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Fade/2J0 6020a 22 2) Q A Home y Patented Oct. 20, 1931 PATENT OFFICE FULVIO CALVANI, OF NEWARK, NEVT JERSEY saxop one Application filed August 28 This invention has reference to new and useful improvements and structural refinements embodied in the key operated mechanism, valved vents, and spring actuating means on a saxophone, and the inventive conception involves an arrangement of de tails which is applicable to any and all types of present day Saxophones without materially altering the ordinary marketed construc tion and without departing from the usual conventional method or system of fingering.

The present application embodies improvements over a similar principle of construction illustrated and claimed in my copending application designated as Serial No. 453,280, filed by me under date of May 17, 1930.

Briefly stated, the structure illustrated in the present case embodies a revised arrangement of the mechanism for accomplishing the primary results of the pending case, and in addition comprehends an added feature to be hereinafter described.

The present invention as well as the invention illustrated in the co-pending case involves a change in the valve arrangement which is predicated upon a novel operating mechanism for the C-sharp and D-natural pads or valves in the low register of the instrument. In addition it embodies a new and improved control means for G-shar located on the intermediate portion of the liarrel or tubing of the instrument.

One improvement embodied in this application is a mechanism and key control system which permits both the C-sharp and D-natural' pads to remain normally open. Under the ordinary arrangement, the C-sharp pad is normally closed, but under the new arrangement herein illustrated it is normally open. In accordance with my conception the mechanism is such as to permit both the .D-natural and C-sharp pads to be closed in unison by the little finger of the right hand by depressing the usual C-natural key. Then too, the improved arrangement allows the C-sharp pad to be lifted to open position independently of the D-natural pad, this result being accomplished from the usual G- sharp key located on the intermediate por- Serial No. 478,447.

tion of the tubing and operated by the little finger of the left hand. Thus, the fingering system is the same as is usual but the mechanism is such as to maintain the C-sharp pad normally open and at the same time to permit it to be closed in unison with the D-natural pad and to be opened again independently of said D-natural pad for producing the tone C-sharp.

Vith this improved arrangement it is permissible to produce a clear tone for middle D-natural which is not possible of accomplishment when the C-sharp vent is closed as under ordinary conventional construction. Otherwise stated, with the usual normally closed Osharp vent, the tone for D- natural is muffled and of poor and improper intonation. l ly allowing this C-sharp vent to be normally open, this objectionable tone quality and inaccurate intonation is entirely 7.; overcome, and yet under my arrangement the C-sharp pad and vent can be controlled by the usual system of fingering and in proper progression while playing the chromatic scale.

An equally important feature is predicated upon a mechanism for a saxophone wherein the usual G-sharp key and its shatting is entirely eliminated, and wherein the improved C-sharp key is used for opening the G-sharp valve independently of C-sharp valve. Thus, the single C-sharp key has the double function of providing the means for affording a remote control for the C-sharp valve and an adjacent control for the Gsharp valve. It is to be noted that this improvement is different from other improvements found on the market in which the C-sharp key is used for opening in conjunction with G-sharp key causing a tremendous stiffness of manipulation of G-sharp or C-sharp key. My improvement consists in using the same key for operating G-sharpand C-sharp independently. In fact in playing the note G-sharp the C-sharp pad or valve does not move, consequently no additional stiffness is to be overcome. This decidedly simplifies the mechanism an d permits a more smooth performance, allowing the player to operate the C-sharp' and G-sharp valves with greater and more dependable precision and responsiveness.

* Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the bell-end of the instrument showing the lreys, shafting and valves visible from one side of the instrument.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the bend of the instrument.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure l is a detail section on the line d& of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure (3 is a diagrammatic view showing the compound master control shaft with its individual sections for operating the G-sharp and C-sharp pads independently.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through this compound shaft on the line 7 -7 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the long sleeve of the shaft.

Referring first to Figure 1, it will be ob served that the numeral 9 designates the tapered body portion of the tubing, whereas the numeral 10 indicates the bell and the numeral 11 the bend or Ushaped portion adjoining the body of the bell. The ordinals 12 and 13, respectively, indicate B-natural and C-natural valves. The valve 12 is operated by a customary rocker shaft 14- having a linger key 15. This is of ordinary construction. The numeral 16 designates the shaft cooperating the C-natural valves 13 and 17 indicates the B-natural key. The rey 18 is what would ordinarily be on the usual saxophone the lzey for operating G-sharp. In the present invention this key and its shafting is entirely eliminatet. Considering now Figures 2 and 3, it will be observed that 19 designates the C-sharp vent whereas 20 rep resents the C-sharp valve cooperable with said vent. As seen in Figure 3, 21 represents the conventional D-natural vent and 22 its valve. In Fig. 2 the numeral 23 designates the E-flat key for controlling the roclrer shaft 2i operating the E-ilat valve 25 cooperable with the E-fiat vent 26. These details are also of ordinary construction.

The numeral 27 designates the C-natural key for operating the rocker shaft 28 (see Figure l). There is an arm 29 extending from the shaft 28 and connected with the D- natural valve as shown in Figure 2. The numeral 30 indicates a needle spring for nor mally holding this valve 22 open. This spring 30 is to be hereinafter known as a major or main spring. The numeral 32 designates a trip arm which serves an important purpose to be hereinafter described. Vith the ex ception of the trip arm 32 all of the parts so far described are ordinary, or of conventional arrangement.

I now invite attention to Figure 1 wherein the numeral 33 is utilized to designate generally a compound master shaft used primarily for controlling the C-sharp valve 20. The numerals 34, 35, 36 designate bearing posts. The numeral 37 designates a brace post. The post is a new post and is introd need to render G-sharp movementindependent of C-sharp movement. It embodies as shown in Figure. 7 the usual pintle pin or rod 38. The long sleeve is indicated at 39 and the short sleeve at 40. These are independently operable sections. They are, however, arranged to operate in unison or separate under certain conditions, as hereinafter explained.

There is an arm 41 attached to the sleeve 39 and connected rigidly with the C-sharp *alve 20. This at the lower end of the instrument. At the upper end of the sleeve here is an operating finger 42 which is of he shape shown approximately in Figure 8. This extends outwardly beyond the post 35 and beneath a tappet finger or stop element carr'ed by the upper section or sleeve -l-.O. As shown in Figure 5, this finger Les and has cam rubbing contact unclewnh a stop finger as on the arm 45 of the G-sharp valve 46. This valve 46 cooperates with the customary G-sharp vent 47. Incidentally, the numeral 48 designates a spring whose normal tendency is to lift the valve from its seat 47. Hence when the shaft section 4:0 is operated in a direction to move the finger d3 in a direction away from the stop linger 44; the valve 46 automatically swings to open position for producing the tone G-shap. The numeral 49 in Figure 1 designates an a "m on the shaft 41 which is provided with a roller equipped finger piece or key 50. This finger piece is designated as combined (i-sharp and G-sharp key. As before stated. the usual G-sharp key 18 and its shutting is entirely eliminated under this arrangemennt and the key 50 has a double function of controlling G-sharp as well as C-sharp. This simplifies the arrangement and allows the little finger of the left hand to me used in a well known way for operating )oth Osharp and G-sharp in an unconfused manner.

I now call attention to the needle spring 51 which cooperates with the shaft section 39 in a manner to normally swing the valve 20 to closed position. This is a spring which is a companion or secondary spring with respect to the aforesaid needle spring 30. The spring 30 is of stronger tension than the spring 51 and overcomes the tension of the latter to operate in conjunction therewith. It will thus be seen that the spring 30 serves spring 51. The spring 51, however, urges the valve 20 to closed position but the spring 51 is overbalanced by the companion spring 30 and through medium of the mechanism now to be described, the spring 30. will overcome the tension of the spring 51 in such a way'as to Lil 20 open, is important.

normally maintain the valve 20 in open position. When the C-natural key 27 is dep'ressed manually for producing the tone C-natural, the Valve 22 is seated against the vent 21 by a direct arm connection in the shaft 28. Upon releasing'the key 27 the spring 30 opens this valve 22. At the same time when depressing the key 27, the trip arm 32 is moved in a direction toward the body of the tubing and this releases an idler rocker 52 and also releases pressure on the arm 41. Thus, at this particular time the spring 51 comes into play and automatically closes the valve 20. It is necessary that the valves 20 and 31 be closed in order to produce the tone C-natural. If, however, it is desired to immediately produce C-sharp this can be done by depressing the key 50, which brings into play the complete sectional shaft 33 which, as before stated, overcomes the tension of the spring 51 and rocks open the valve 20.

There is a peculiar action in the mechanism here due to the strong tension of the spring 30 as compared with the relatively weaker tension of the spring 51. The main thought involved is that when depressing the C-natural key 27 both of the valves 20 and 22 swing automatically to closed position. The valve :22 is moved to closed position by direct manual or mechanical action whereas the valve 20, operated by the spring 51, independently closes at the same time. Both of these valves, however, cannot be closed for producing the tone C-sharp, thus by still holding the little finger of the right hand on the key 27 and then placing the little finger of the left hand on the key 50 and using the manual pressure, the shafting 33 is operated in such manner as to open the valve 20 independent of the valve 22.

This double or duplex spring arrangement whereby the spring 30 through the medium of parts 32 and 52 overcomes thetension of the spring 51 for normally holding the valve Moreover, the arrangement whereby when the key 27 is depressed for closing the valve 22 releasing the operating connection (32 and 52) to permit independent manual control of the valve 20, is likewise unique and important.

The gist of the idea, however, is that the springs (30 and 51) must be so paired in companionship as to operate in unison and yet individually. It follows, therefore, that the C-natural control 27 serves to simultaneously ly open the valve 20 to permit the production of the tone C-sharp. 7

Likewise another feature to be mentioned is the double function of the key 50 for producing not only C-sharp, but G-sharp as well. This feature has been before explained, for it is obvious that upon rocking the shaft sections 40 alone by depressing the key 50, the finger 43 moves out of the path of pressure of the finger 44 as shown in Figure 5 allowing the automatic sprin 48 to lift the valve 46 to produce the tone J-sharp.

It is to be observed in Figure 5 that so long as the valve 20 is open, the finger 42 is spaced clear from the companion finger 43. I call attention to this because of the fact that it allows the requisite independent movement of the upper section 40 of the shaft for producing G-sharp. \Vhen, however the C-natural key 27 is depressed and the valve 20 closes, the finger 42 moves into operative contact with the finger 43 so that upon depressing the key 50 both shaft sections will operate in unison to open the valve 20 against the tension of its spring 51. This arrangement is important in that it allows the necessary independent operation of G-sharp from the key 50 without interference from the normally spaced finger 42.

A feature, in this application is the compound shaft 33 permitting the finger key 50 to have a double function of operating sharp valve as well as G-sharp valve independently.

No doubt a careful consideration of the description in connection with the drawings will enable persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates to obtain a clear understanding of the same. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

What is claimed is:

1-. In a saxophone, a tubular body terminating in a bell and provided adjacent said bell with a D-natural vent and a C-sharp vent, a D-natural pad for closing said D- natural vent, a U-sharp pad for closing said C-sharp vent, both of said pads being normally open, finger actuated means operated by the little finger of the right hand for simultaneously closing both of said pads, independent finger actuated means operable by the little linger of the left hand for independently opening said C-sharp pad, and

duplex spring means including an operating bell with a D-natural vent and a C-sharp vent, a D-natural pad for closing said D- nat-ural vent, a C-sharp pad for closing said C-sharp vent, both of said pads being normally open, finger actuated means operated by the little finger of the right hand for simultaneously closing of both of said pads, independent finger actuated means operable by the little finger of the left hand for independently opening said C-sharp pad, and duplex spring means including an operating connection between said pads for normally swinging bot-h pads to open position, said spring means embodying a pair of springs, one spring being the major spring, and the other spring a subordinate or minor spring, the tension of the major spring being so arranged with respect to the minor spring as to overcome the tension of the latter to normally hold the O-sharp pad in open posi tion with said C-natural pad.

3. In a saxophone, a tubular body terminating in a bell and provided adjacent said bell with a D-natural vent and a C-sharp vent, a D-nat-ural pad for closing said D- natural vent, a C-sharp pad for closing said C-sharp vent, a pair of bearing posts, a rocker shaft mounted for oscillation between said posts, a C-natural finger piece carried by said rocker shaft, an arm attached to said rocker shaft and fastened to said D-natural pad, a major spring cooperable with said shaft for rotating the shaft in a direction to normally hold said D-natural pad open, an additional set of bearing posts on the tubular body, a shaft mounted for oscillation between said posts, a Osharp linger piece carried by the upper end of the shaft, an arm carried by the lower end of the shaft and rigidly connected with said C-sharp pad, a spring on one of said posts engageable with a retainer on the adjacent end of said second named shaftfor urging said C-sharp pad to closed position, the tension of said last named spring being overcome by manual depression of said C-sharp finger-piece, said second named spring being of the tension weaker than the first named spring, and an operating connection between said C-sharp pad arm and said first named shaft permitting the tension of the first named spring to overcome the tension of the second named spring to normally react on said arm and to hold said C-sharp pad normally open with said D-natural pad.

l. In a saxophone, a tubular body terminating in a bell and provided adjacent said bell with a D-natural vent and a C-sharp vent, a D-natural pad for closing said D- natural vent, a C-sharp pad for closing said C-siiarp vent, both of said pads being held normally open, a shaft mounted for oscillation within the vicinity of said C-natural pad, a C natural finger piece for operating said shaft, a spring associated with said shaft for normally opening said D-natural pad, a relatively long shaft mounted on the tubing and provided at one end with a C- sharp finger piece or key, and provided at the opposite end with an arm rigidly attached to said C-sharp pad, an individual spring associated with said second named shaft for rocking the shaft in a direction to close said C-sharp pad, a trip arm on said first named shaft, a rocker mounted on the tubing adjacent said shaft, one arm of said rocker being engageable with the adjacent end of said trip arm, the opposite arm of the rocker being engageable with the operating arm for said C-sharp pad, the C- natural spring means being of such tensionas to overcome the tension of the C-sharp spring, whereby to permit the C-sharp pad to be held normally open, the trip and rocker mechanism being such as to permit both of said pads to be normally open, to allow said C-sharp key to be depressed in a manner to open the C-sharp pad against the tension of its complemental closing spring.

5. In a saxophone, a tubular body terminating in a bell and provided adjacent said lell with a C-sharp vent, the intermediate portion of said body having a G-shar Vent, a C-sharp valve for closing said sharp vent, a (Jr-sharp valve for closing said G- sharp vent, spring means for normally urgsaid G-sharp valve to open position, said means including a laterally directed stop finger, a sectional shaft mounted for oscillation on said tubular body and provided at its upper end with a combined G-sharp and C-sharp key, the upper section being provided with a finger engageable with said first named finger for maintaining the G- sharp valve normally closed, the lower section being provided with a linger engageable beneath said last named finger for permitting the two sections of the shaft to be oscillated independently or in unison, an arm carried by the lower end of said lower section, said C-sharp valve being connected rigidly to said arm, and spring means cooperable with said lower section for normally oscillating the complete shaft in a direction to close said C-sharp valve.

6. In a saxophone, a tubular body provided with longitudinally spaced vents, one vent for the tone C-sharp and the other vent for the tone G -sharp, individual valves cooperable with the respective vents, a single sectional shaft mounted for oscillation on said body, a finger key connected with said shaft, and individual spring means asso ciated with the valves whereby to permit both valves to be controlled with the one shaft and its associated key.

In testimony whereof I ailiX my signature.

FULVIO CALVANI. 

